Darren Rizzi hired as Broncos special teams coach

Just one day following the introduction of the Saints’ new head coach, the former interim coach got a new job.

According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Darren Rizzi has agreed to join former Saints head coach Sean Payton as the special teams coordinator of the Denver Broncos.

The Broncos opened the position soon after their 2024 postseason run ended by firing former special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica. At which time, Rizzi immediately became the presumed favorite if he did not land the head coach position in New Orleans.  

Rizzi took over as the Saints’ interim after former coach Dennis Allen was let go following a seven-game losing streak in Week Nine of the 2024 season. He was considered a top name in the team’s pursuit of its next head coach, but after the team instead went with Moore, this move became one of the more expected around the NFL.